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She’s laughing too hard to answer and Wyatt looks delighted. “Ten thousand dollars from Clara Bennett!”

“I did not bid!”

“Paddle’s in your hand.”

“It’s in her hand!”

“Technicality.”

Ryder steps closer to the edge of the stage. His eyes stay on mine. “Careful, sweetheart.” My stomach flips. “You win me, you have to take me home.”

Heat explodes across my face.

The room erupts.

I grab the paddle from Lila. “I am going to kill you.”

“Worth it.”

Then I see Evan. He’s watching me and Sienna is still beside him. And Evan has that expression on his face. Fond. Amused. Like Clara Bennett accidentally bidding ten thousand dollars on Ryder Hale is cute.

Because I’m predictable Clara.

Sensible Clara.

The woman who would never actually do anything reckless.

Something inside me snaps. I raise the paddle. “Twenty.”

The room goes quiet again.

Lila’s mouth drops open. “Clara.”

Ryder’s smile disappears.

Wyatt stares at me. “Twenty thousand?”

“Yes.”

Evan isn’t smiling anymore.

Good.

Wyatt lifts the microphone. “Going once.”

My heart pounds.

What the hell am I doing?

“Going twice.”

Ryder watches me from the stage.

I could still take it back.

Probably.

Maybe.